Aaron and Dave continue seeing each other secretly over the next few months. While at work, they were completely professional. When they were not working, their relationship was hot and passionate. Both Dave and Aaron were happier than they had been in years. With Aaron's approval, Dave started hanging out with him and Jack.
The team caught a case in late October. They were in Texas working on a case where the unsub was kidnapping, raping, and murdering young co-eds. He recently kidnapped a 19 year old college freshman named Amy. The team knew that her time was quickly running out. They tracked the unsub down in a warehouse on the outskirts on town. The team was going in with the local PD to assist in the arrest.
"Rossi, Prentiss, you go around back"
"Morgan, Reid, you come with me. We'll enter through the front. Be careful the unsub may have Amy and he is not going down easily".
Hotch entered with his gun drawn. At that very moment, Rossi and Prentiss entered from the back. The unsub turned and fired at Rossi and Prentiss, before Hotch shot him.
Hotch ran over to find Prentiss knelling beside Dave who had been shot. He was shot in the stomach and was bleeding profusely.
"Dave, stay with us. Call 911".
An hour later, the team was in a surgical waiting room, waiting to find out if Dave was going to make it.
"Don't die on me Dave. We just found each other. I need you. I love you" Hotch thought to himself.